Page 14 - VIETNAM DEFENCE EXPO 2024 - Day 3 | GBP

Indigenous Drones

Steal the Limelight

A significant number of drones and new armed forces for defence and security during daytime. The lightweight muni-
loitering munitions are on display at the missions such as reconnaissance, com- tion makes use of electric propulsion
ongoing show. The growth of indige- bat support, Search and Rescue (SAR) to attain a speed of upto 120 kmph
nously designed and developed loitering missions and cargo transportation. The and weighs 8 kg. It has an endurance
munitions is an important step ahead MMD-01 has an MTOW of 80 kg and of 40 minutes and can be launched
for Vietnam’s defence industry. The maximum payload (not including battery either from a canister or a pneumatic
outdoor display at the show features and fuel) is less than 50 kg. It can travel launcher. Speaking to Daily News at the
several new unmanned systems devel- up to 60 km and attain a top speed of show, a Vietnamese Army soldier said
oped by Vietnam’s Air Force Air Defence 60 kmph, though the cruising speed is the VU-C2 tactical loitering munition
Technical Institute. The unmanned between 30-50 kmph. Endurance ranges can be deployed in minutes by Special
systems at the show, researched and from 90 minutes with a 10 kg payload Forces and silently performs precision
manufactured in Vietnam, include the to 30 minutes with a 50 kg payload. strikes on high-value targets, using AI-
MMD-01 UAV. The quadcopter eVTOL based detection algorithms. Another
utilises a combination of electric motors The VU-C2 tactical loitering munition operational system on display is the VU-
and Internal Combustion (IC) engines is designed to take out ground targets R70 light-weight medium range VTOL.
and is deployed by the Vietnamese such as infantry and light utility vehicles A typical operating configuration fea-
tures four of these drones, which can
gather intelligence, identify targets and
provide real-time reconnaissance data.
The fully autonomous VU-R70 features
gasoline-electric propulsion and has
an endurance of 4.5 hours. Its payload
comprises of a day HD camera and
laser range-finder.

The DIS-18 aerial target is designed for
training with medium and long-range
air defence missiles. It can also be
equipped with various payloads de-
signed for training, live-fire and other
military activities. The DIS-18 has a
MTOW of 102 kg and carry a maxi-
mum payload of 5 kg. It can attain a
cruising speed of 200-250 kmph, with
a maximum speed of 360 kmph. The
aerial target can travel for a maximum
distance of 100 km, has an endurance of
60 minutes, and has an altitude ceiling
of 5,000 metres.

14 DECEMBER-21-2024 WWW.GBP.COM.SG/DAILY NEWS